Dumping platform



W. G. ANDERSON DUMPING PLATFORM Filed March 5. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q n\\\\\\\\ I 'l l JLL-l WM5 Dec' 8, W.l G. ANDERSON DUMPING PLATFORM Filed March 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec...s,1925 1,564.1.

W. G. ANDERSON DUMPING PLATFORM Filed March 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Shed 3 WAL Tm/vnmsou Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED SZTTES PAT-KENT oFF-ICE.

WALTER G. ANDERSON, OF MINNEAPQLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO STRONG-SCOTT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CORIO'RATION OF MINNESOTA.

DUI/[PING PLATFORM.

Application ed March 5., 1925. Serial No. 13,325.

To all whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that I. Nieren G. ANDER- soN, a citizen of the nited States, resident of lMinneapolis, county'of Hennepin, and State of li/Iinnesota, have invented certain ynew and useful Improvements in Dumping Platforms, of `which the "following is a specification. y y

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle'dumping platforms adapted 'for luse with or without vwagon scales in grain elevator driveways and other places for elevating the forward end of=a vehicle or sled for the purpose of unloading or discharging the load, and more ,particularly tit relates to such a structure vadapted vfor use during the summer months for unloading wheeled vehicles and capa-ble of ready and convenient adjustment or kadaptation vfor use with a sled vehicle in the winter months. Generally speaking, however, for -a greater-portion of the year, the apparatus will be used'as an ordinary dumping platformfor wheeled vehicles.

The invention is designed as an improve- Vment over -the structure shown in Patent -qt,':1,518,780 4grantedfto Marcus A. Erickson, December 9, 1924.

In a dumping platform ofv'the Atype disclosed in said patent, the main yportion of ythe `platform is stationary and a sled vehicle is handled in the same manner las v one equipped with wheels. This is objectionableowing to the strain vto whichthe reach between the -sled runners -is subjected when the :forward portion of the -:vehicle is raised and also'tothe twisting vor yracking-to which the sled bolster issubjected when an attempt is made to raise fthe forward'portion of the sled vehicle, -leaving the rear runners in a substantially lhorizontal position.

In platforms of other types, a'tilting section-is provided to adapt `it for sled vehicles, but the 'tilting :section is continuously raised with the lifting ofthe yforward portion -of .the vehicle in du-mping those equipped with wheels as well as ythose with runners. This continual raising and lowering of the tilting. section is objectionable not lvonly-because it is very unnecessary in dumpinga wheeled vehicle butiparticularly because it requires additional power in the lifting operation.

of the scale platform.

An object, therefore, of .my invention is to provide a dumping platform having a `section capable of tilting but normally 'forming a vstationary continuation of the horizontal ,portion of the platform when used with wheeled vehicles, provision being vmade `for easily and quickly connecting the tilting section with the lifting portion of the platform so vthat the apparatus, during the winter months or at any other time for thatfmatter, can be instantly adapted for dumping sled vehicles and as readily converted'into a platform forhandling wheeled vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dumping platform having a lifting section, and a tilting section adapted to be operatively connected with the former so that it may be used for dumping either Wheeled or Vsled vehicles, and which platform, when used in conjunction with a platform wagon scale, will have the tilting section and its connecting means mounted upon land supported by the movable frame By vthus mounting thetilting section kof the platform and its supporting means upon .the scale platform, the latter will-not interfere with the weighing scale when operatively connected to the vlifting section, should the lifting mechanism not be carried by the scale frame but be supported u-pona stationary foundation beneath the scale platform.

'Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the'anneXed claims.

In the 'accompanying drawings there has been disclosed apstructure designed to Vcarry out the various -objects ofthe invention,'but it is toA be understood that the invention is not confined 'to the exact features shown, as various changes may vbe made :within the scope of the claims ,which follow.

In the accompanying drawings V'forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 ris ya vertical sectional View of the improved dumping platform showing a sled positioned Ithereon and in unloading or dumping position;

y Figure 42 is yan enlarged ldetail vsectional view on the line 2-2of Figure 3,;

Figure .3 is across sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the lifting platform partially elevated and also showing the means provided for connecting the intermediate 4portion of the dumping platform to the lifting portion thereof;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the intermediate portion of the platform disconnected from the lifting portion thereof.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown there is illustrated a platform scale of the type ordinarily employed in conjunction with grain elevators for unloading grain from a truck, wagon or sled. As shown in Figure 1, the scale comprises a weighing platform 5 mounted on the side rails 6, which are supported in the usual manner upon the scale beams 7 and 8. The rear portion of the weighing platform 5 is preferably provided with an open grating 9 through which the load may be discharged into a suitable receiving means or hopper 11 usually arranged beneath the scale platform.

-A lifting platform, 12 is provided adjacent the forward end of the structure. This lifting platform, when in normal inoperative position as shown in Figure 2, will be supported by the side beams 6 of the scale frame. The means provided for lifting or elevating the platform 12 consists of a cross head 10 mounted upon a ram or plunger which is slidably mounted in a cylinder 14 and may be operable therein by such means as compressed air supplied to the lower portion of the cylinder by means of a pipe 15 connected to a suitable source of air supply, (not shown). A flexible hose connection 16 is preferably interposed in the pipe section 15 to allow movement of the scale platform.

The cross head 10 comprises a pair of side rails 2O having lifting blocks 3() mounted thereon and adapted to engage the hinged sections 12 of the lifting platform 12. lhen the cross head 10 is elevated the lifting blocks 12 will engage the hinged sections 12a of the lifting platform thereby causing them to be oscillated upon their hinges to the position shown in Figure 4, and in which position the cross members 12b of the lifting platform will be supported upon the inwardly extending horizontal flanges 28 of the angles 29, shown in Figure 3. The purpose of thus upwardly swinging the two hinged sections 12n of the lifting platform 12 is to provide means for preventing the forward wheels of a truck or wagon from rolling off the platform when in raised dumping position, as shown in Figure 4. lt will also be noted by reference to Figure 2 that the lifting blocks 30 are of such height as to be out of engagement with the hinged sections of the lifting platform when the latter is seated upon the side beams 6 of the scale frame. The purpose of thus spacing the lifting blocks 30 from the lifting platform, when in normal inoperative position, is to provide clearance between the weighing scale platform and the lifting means should the lifting means be mounted upon a stationary-foundation instead of being supported by the scale frame as shown in the accompanying drawings. A gate 17 is preferably connected to the forward end of the lifting platform 12 and is mcvable therewith, suitable guides 18 being provided on the frame of the scale to guide the gate in its up and down movement lwhen the lifting platform 12 is actuated. The function of this gate is to prevent animals or persons from falling into the pit beneath the scale when the lifting platform is elevated.

The feature of this invention resides in the novel means provided for lifting or raising to an inclined position, the rear runners or section of a sled when positioned on the scale platform for unloading purposes. Such means preferably consists of an intermediate section 19 of the scale or dumping platform which is mounted on suitable rails 21 pivotally connected to the main portion of the platform y means of a transverse rod or shaft 22. |This rod or shaft may be suitably secured to the side beams 21 by such means as the U-shaped bolts 23. The intermediatel platform section 19 is of such size as to receive the rear runners of the sled when the front runners are positioned upon the lifting platform 12. Y

The means provided for operatively connecting the intermediate portion 19 of the platform to the lifting portion, is clearly shown in Figures 2 and Such means preferably consists of a yoke-shaped meniber 24 pivotally mounted in bearings 25 secured to the lower edge of the intermediate beams 26 of the intermediate platform section. The up per outwardly extending end portions 27 of the yoke-member 24 are adapted to engage the inwardly projecting flanges 28 of a pair of rails 29, secured to the frame of the lifting platform 12. An arm 31 is mounted upon the lower' portion of the yoke member 24 and has a connecting link 32 connecting it with a similar arm 38 mounted upon an operating shaft 34 mounted in bearings 35 secured to the frame of the intermediate platform section. @ne end of the shaft 34 outwardly projects to a joint adjacent one of the side beams 6 of the scale platform 5 and has a crank arm 36 terminally mounted thereon. An operating bar 37 has one end pivotally connected to crank arm 36 and upwardly projects therefrom'throughA the opening 38 in the intermediate platform section 19 to a point where it may be conven-ientlyreached byy an operator. A hand gripLill) is preferably provided on theoperating bar 37 for the convcnienfe of the operator in moving the bar 237 .from operative to inoperative position. 'lllhen fthe operating bar 237 is in the position shown in Figure 2, the yolc member 24 will be oscillated in its bearings 25 substantially to a vertical position, in which positionthe outwardly projecting end portions 27 thereof will be moved into .alignment with the inwardly projecting iianges28 of the lifting platform so that when the latter are upwardly moved by the upward movement ofthe lifting platform, the flanges 2S will engage the end portions 27 and theiebyupwai'dly lift the intermediate platform section to the position shown in Figure 1.

.l/Vhen. a sled vis positioned upon .the -scale platform to be unloaded, the yoke-shaped member 24 will be moved `to :the position shown in Figure 2, and vthe lifting` platform-12 elevated tothe `position shown in Figure 1. Such upward movement of `the lifting platform 12will causetheinwardlygprojecting flanges 28 'thereof to be moved into engagement withthe end portions 27 of theyole meinber24, thereby causing the latter yto be elevated with the lifting plat- .form with the resultant tilting of the intermediate platformI .section 19. `By thus upwardly liftingandftilting the :rear runners of thesled'it will be notedth'at the connecting means orreach 41 betweenthe front Aand rear runners of the :sled .'willlnot be brought into contact with fthe yrea-i' edge-portionlfof the lifting platform 12. It .will also be noted that the relative movement between the `box 42 and vthe ybol-ster 43 of :the -sled will be .very slight, thereby preventing any unnecessary strain from vbeing imparted to any portion of the sled, which might result in damage thereto. When the load has been discharged from the sled, the lifting platform may be lowered to its normal position, as shown in Figure 2.

The yoke-shaped member 24 is preferably mounted upon the hinged section 19 Aof the scale platform so that when in inoperative position as shown in Figure 4, it will be carried by the scale platform and will, therefore, not interfere with the weighing scale when in inoperative position as shown in Figure 4, or' when inoperatively connected to the lifting mechanism of the scale as shown in Figure 1. By thus mounting the yoke 24 and its operating mechanism directly upon the hinged section 19 of the dumping platform, the hinged section 19 may be used in connection with a platform Scale having the lifting mechanism of the dumping platform thereof, carried either by the scale frame or mounted upon a stationary foundation beneath the scale platform. When mounted beneath the scale platform .ratus for dumping a wheeled vehicle, the

forward portion being raised in substantially the same manner as shown and described in the patent above referred to. To adapt lthe apparatus for dumping ra sled vehicle it is only necessary to-connect the tilting section with'the lifting platform andthis can beleasily and quickly done by the manipulation of the operating bar 87. Evidently, during the summer months or when a -sled vehicle is not in use thetiltingfsection Awill be inactive and it `will not be'necessary vto use any excess of power for raising and lowering it. As soon, however, as it is desired to dumpa sled vehicle the operator can immediately connect the tilting section with the lifting-platform, and thereupon, when the lifting plateform is raisedto elevate ,the forwardportion of the vehicle, a corresponding movement will be imparted to .the forward yend of thetilti-ngsection so that it will be raised sufliciently to form a substantial lsupport for the rear runners ofthe lvehicle and'prevenit any unnecessaryv or dangerous strain on the reach or holsters lofthe sled. In `effecting'this connection between the tilting section and the liftingplatform,

the operatinglbar 37 `is actuated kto oscillate the yoke-shaped member `24 and if it is desired toeffecta lifting vofthe tilting section, the ends of the yoke-shaped member are engaged with the lifting flanges 28 so that when the platform 12 is lifted, a corresponding movement will be imparted to the tilting section. To separate these members, the operator will again grasp the bar 37 and move the end portions 27 out of alignment with the ends of the lifting flanges 28 so that when the lifting platform is elevated the flanges will pass the ends 27 without coming in contact therewith.

I claim as my invention:

1. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a supporting and raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, me'ans normally stationary and adapting the apparatus for dumping a wheeled vehicle, but adapted to be moved and form an inclined support for the rear runners of a sled vehicle.

2. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a supporting and raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, means forming normally a stationary continuation of said dumping platform to support the rear wheels of a wheeled vehicle but adapted to be raised and form a support for the rear runners of a sled vehicle.

3. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, means normally stationary for supporting the rear Wheels of a wheeled vehicle, and means for elevating said raising means and said stationary means to adapt them for dumping a sled vehicle.

4f. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, a tilting platform section adapted to support the rear wheels of the vehicle, and means for moving said platform section to an inclined position and adapting it for dumping a sled vehicle.

5. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a supporting and raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, a hinged platform section normally adapted to support the rear wheels of a vehicle and means for lifting said platform section to an inclined position when said raising means is elevated to adapt the apparatus for unloading a sled vehicle.

6. A vehicle dumping platform comprising in combination, a lifting section for supporting and elevating the forward portion of a vehicle to discharge its load, a hinged section for supporting` the rear wheels or runners of the vehicle, and means adapted operatively to connect said hinged section with said lifting` section for the purpose of tilting it to an inclined position when said lifting section is elevated.

7. A vehicle dumping platform comprising in combination a lifting section for supporting and elevating the forward portion of a vehicle to discharge its load, a hinged section for supporting the rear wheels or runners of the vehicle, and means mounted on and carried by said hinged section and adapted to connect it with said lifting seotion to tilt said hinged. section to an inclined position when said lifting section is raised.

8. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, a platform section, a yoke mounted thereon. and having means for engaging supports on said raising means, a mechanism for operating said yoke to engage it with said supports or disengage it therefrom, said platform section when connected with said raising means being tilted to an inclined position to adapt it for supporting the rear runners of a sled vehicle.

9. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a supporting and raising means for the front portion of the vehicle, and means supporting the rear portion and normally horizontal for a wheeled vehicle but adapted to be raised to support a vehicle with runners.

l0. A vehicle dumping platform comprising a supporting and raising means for the front portion of the vehicle and means supporting the rear portion and normally hori- Zontal for a wheeled vehicle but adapted to be raised to an inclined position to form a comparatively long bea-ring for the rear shoes of a vehicle with runners.

l1. A vehicle dump comprising a supporting and raising means for the forward portion of the vehicle, a support for the rear shoes of a sled vehicle and means for connecting said support with said raising means for tilting said support to an inclined position to support the rear runners during the dumping operation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of February, 1925.

WALTER G. ANDERSON. 

